Since I have been sick in bed with a virus for over a week, I thought I should write about the blessing of good health.  There’s nothing like being sick to make you realize that good health is not something to be taken for granted.

My thoughts about this have reminded me that we should never take anything for granted.  But today I am extremely grateful for the good health I enjoy. So many people do not have this blessing.  I know that this virus will pass, unlike a great deal of other people who have a congenital disease, or a family history of serious illnesses.

It makes me wonder why I have been blessed in this way.  I didn’t do anything to deserve it, just as people with poor health did nothing to deserve their condition.  I guess we can add this to all the mysteries of this world in which we live.

So, I think that this is the perfect time to be grateful for all the good in my life.  There are so many good things that I don’t know where to begin. In fact, being sick can be a blessing too.It reminds me of the good health I enjoy most of the time.  And now, I can see all the reasons to be thankful standing in a row waiting to be counted.

I have family, and friends, people who love me whether I deserve it or not.  I have the ability to write and sing music and share it with people who appreciate it and me.  I can make people laugh, and that is the best thing of all. I have been blessed in so many ways.

So, as I sit here, feeling poorly for today, I know that I will get over this and be well again.  This is just a bump in the road, so to speak. It’s just a bump in a fairly smooth road that is my life.

Last week I had an epiphany, a revelation.  It was just a regular, ordinary day, but all of a sudden I felt different.  All of a sudden, I felt a sense of calm and peace. I had been feeling a bit overwhelmed just minutes before this.  In fact, I had been thinking very negatively as of late. It was a moment of grace that suddenly appeared in my life and it gave me a feeling of contentment.

Since it happened, I have been waiting for it to wane, as many feelings do, but I still feel it’s presence.  It may not be as profound as that first moment, but it is there. It is real and I feel gratitude for this grace I have been given.  Things that I have carried around for a very long time, have begun to loosen their grip on me.

Everyone has these things in their lives that are sad or difficult moments that can nag at a person and take joy out of times in our lives.  They may not have anything to do with what one has done, but can be tragic nonetheless. These moments can reside in the recesses of our minds and pop up when one least expects it.

But this intense feeling has never happened to me before and I am walking around with a sense of gratitude for tiny, little things.  It’s not like I have never felt this grace before in my life. But this is different. This time it feels as if it will last, and not be fleeting.  I feel like I have been given a gift. And I have been given this gift.  And I feel as if I can keep this grace inside me and share it with others.  I don’t know if this is possible, but right now I believe it.

I have been given the gift of feeling gratitude.  And I intend to keep this gift in my heart. Grace has entered my heart and mind.  And I pray that I will have the strength to keep it safe and share it with other people.  It is a gift from God, therefore it is meant to be shared with others. And with God’s help, it will be possible.  Let it happen. Let it be so.

Has anyone ever said to you, “Go for it?”  Not as a question, as that first sentence reads, but as an exclamation!  Go for it! Now, you can feel one of two ways about this. You can be invigorated and energized, or perhaps feel pressure if you are not ready for that kind of encouragement.  Perspective is everything when it comes to situations like this one.

Reading another person’s reaction in both facial expression and body language will tell a lot about how that person feels about it.  I think the most important thing to do is try to read how another person might be feeling before saying those three words.

I find it so interesting and quite educational to observe and study behavior.  If one wants to understand where a person is coming from, then it behooves that person to be aware of the signals.  Like I just pointed out, facial expressions and body language speak volumes. But, there are others.  If one knows the person, even small differences in the way they usually react will tell you something.

With strangers, it is quite a different story.  Unless it is very obvious that the person wants encouragement, I wouldn’t say it.  It can backfire and make each of you feel bad. Just look for the ones you can read easily.  Then you will probably be doing a good thing for someone.

The reason I decided to write about this, is that those words have encouraged me.  But I am very aware of the other reactions as I have felt a lack of confidence at different times in my life.

It can be embarrassing if one is not up to the challenge that presents itself.  I guess all a person can do, is to always be aware of the physical signs seen on another’s face and body.  It is a good communication skill for all of us to have.

I think that smiling has been a frequent topic of my posts over the past four plus years.  The reason must have to do with the fact that I find myself smiling a lot. It’s a good thing too, because it impacts my life significantly in a positive way.  Babies, people walking their dogs, kids playing in a park are just a fraction of the things I find myself smiling at. Whenever I am driving, even if the traffic is mean-spirited, if one can catch another person in a smile in the midst of things, it can help prevent being drawn into the negativity.  Smiles versus frowns are one thing. But anger is a tougher nut to crack. A smile from another person can help to counteract the tension one feels in that kind of traffic.

Sometimes I force myself to smile, because it has a positive effect even if a person doesn’t mean it at first.  After doing it for a few seconds it can even cause me to laugh at myself. A smile is only a step or two from a full-throated laugh, if you are open to such things.

Occasionally, smiling can cause another person to react angrily if they are just irritated enough about something to think you may be laughing at them.  I never am. But this has only happened rarely with me and it isn’t going to stop me from doing my thing. Most of the time though, smiling causes another person to smile back, because quite frankly, smiles are contagious.  

One thing I have learned is that good intentions are felt by others.  And if a facial expression can show those intentions, it is worth doing.  Little things often have big impacts. Kindness is a radical act. Smiling can be one way of showing it.  If you are not prone to such an action, you may consider giving it a try. You never know. You just might like it.

“Oh, there’s no place like home for the holidays

‘Cause no matter how far away you roam

When you pine for the sunshine of a friendly gaze

For the holidays you can’t beat home sweet home!”

These are some of the lyrics from the Perry Como hit written in1954.  I was only 3 years old at that time, but the song has been played around Christmas time in the United States since then.  Although it never says Christmas in the lyrics, that’s when you will hear it.

There is a lot to be said for being at home for the holidays.  That’s because, whatever your faith or traditions may be, home is where you celebrate them the most.  And there are all kinds of holidays to celebrate, but most often, home is where we want to be when we do.

But I was just thinking about this the other day.  For so many people, there are many reasons that cause sadness, distress, and even dread when these dates approach us.  That’s why people should try to support each other and be there with others when the holidays near.  It’s good to be aware of the tell-tale signs that appear when we are around people we don’t know, as well as those we know. The signs that something is wrong or worrying can be detected if we are vigilant.  Having a kind face and a generous spirit can often be felt, even if nothing is said. Sometimes, just a smile can have an effect.

Holidays can be happy times or solemn times, or both.  They can be a part of a heritage, a culture or a faith.  The reasons for them can be intertwined. There are many of all of these in the United States.  That is a beautiful thing. But if we are blessed and busy enjoying our holidays, it is important to remember that many people are not that fortunate.  Not everyone even has a place that they can call home. Being aware of this can make those of us who have good fortune, more grateful and generous, or not. It’s a choice. And it is definitely something to think about as we each celebrate our own holidays.